616. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the estimated revenue that would be raised annually if an annual €500 tobacco retailer licence fee per retail outlet was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14688/23] 

Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health: The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill will provide for the introduction of a licensing system for the retail sale of tobacco products. An annual licence will be required for each outlet where tobacco products are sold. The proposed annual fee is yet to be determined. It is not possible to estimate the number of retail outlets that would opt to sell or continue to sell tobacco products following the introduction of a requirement for an annual licence and fee.

618. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a campaign by an alliance of organisations seeking an increase in the legal age of sale of all forms of tobacco, including e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21 years of age, commonly known as tobacco 21; if he is in favour of Ireland introducing tobacco 21 as a policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14690/23]

Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health: I am aware of the campaign to increase the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21 years. I welcome this engagement from civil society and I know that the strong alliance between civil society and Government is the reason that Ireland has been notably successful and has a global reputation as a pioneer in tobacco control. 

I understand that at least eleven countries have already increased their legal age of sale of tobacco to 21 with the U.S. introducing it at a federal level in December 2019. I look forward to the evidence from those interventions. My Department continues to examine all policy options, including those relating to age of purchase, which would reduce the enormous, and entirely preventable, toll of disease and death from tobacco smoking in our country.

619. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the estimated revenue that would be raised annually if an annual €50 electronic cigarette retailer licence fee per retail outlet was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14692/23] 

Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health: The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill will provide for the introduction of a licensing system for the retail sale of nicotine inhaling products such as electronic cigarettes. An annual licence will be required for each outlet where nicotine inhaling products are sold. The proposed annual fee is yet to be determined. The licensing system will, for the first time, provide information on the number of retailers currently selling electronic cigarettes across the country. It is not possible to estimate the number of retail outlets that would opt to sell or continue to sell nicotine inhaling products following the introduction of a requirement for an annual licence and fee.

620. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department have in place or intend to put in place regulations to prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes from mobile phone shops including shops selling mobile phones second hand along with phone cases; if inspections are carried out on these premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14694/23] 

Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health: The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill will require that all retailers engaged in the sale of electronic cigarettes must obtain a licence for their retail sale. It will be an offence to sell these products without a licence. The Bill will prohibit the sale of electronic cigarettes to and by persons under 18 years of age. It will also prohibit the sale of electronic cigarettes from temporary or mobile units, at events intended for children and from self-service vending machines. The Environmental Health Service of the HSE are responsible for the enforcement of tobacco control legislation and will be responsible for enforcement of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill.